All this TT carping got me wondering. Is he really as bad as many on this board seem to think? So I went out to HockeyDB and pulled up the stats for all players drafted in 2012 (TT was 18th overall in 2012). And from those stats can be seen this piece of information:

only 2, count them 2, players drafted after TT (14 career goals) have outscored him to date. Olli Matta (16g) and Tanner Pearson (22g). Both of those players have seen many more NHL games to date with TT at 93 games played, Matta at 147 and Pearson at 120.

What we all need to realize is we did draft one of the best players possible at that draft position. And we have to remember that due to the cap and top heavy salary structure of the Hawks, TT was rushed to the big team. Could he have benefited from more play time at the Rock, for sure. But at the current time, we are benefiting from him a lot more than most every other team is on their picks that came from spot 18 on.

He is still a kid, one who should still be learning at the Rock with spot duty in Chi, but due to items out of his control he is here, and based on his current growth, especially in Q's eyes, he is here to stay and we should be welcoming him with open arms, not constantly slamming him for every single mistake he makes. All players make mistakes, we just have to live with the fact that he is doing his learning in Chi instead of the Rock and just appreciate what we have and just hope he does grow in to what the original expectations of him were.
- Hossa2theHOF

The usual TT qualifier:

He has obvious hockey skill and vision. Very good hands, good skater. All the things you want in a prospect . . . except he is underdeveloped physically, and there is some legitimate question as to how "developed" he will ever be (some of which is in his genetics, some of which is in his heart and will).

Not to single you out, but I will not judge a player merely on how many goals he scores or even how many points he puts up. By that metric alone, TT has been a giant sack of poop for the last several games. Even f he has been better than a lot of guys in his draft class.

Does the player engage and stay with his man defensively? Does the player do good things without the puck? Is the player a force physically? Is he a positive possession player—or a possession killer? Add points to those things and you have a good overall sense of a hockey player.

My personal belief is he is a unique prospect (because of the aforementioned skill set). That said, I think some—and most importantly, I have heard intimated, the Hawks—are concerned about his willingness to work on and off the ice.

I watched him closely last night. He got a goal, which is great. But I see a lot of his bad habits also from earlier in the season, floating, avoiding any kind of engagement physically and losing pucks, or just not trying.

Personally, I think it's a maturity issue and some day the light will go on and he will be a very good all around NHL player.

But no, he is not Patrick Kane and never will be. Kane at the same age was over a point a game player, taking over playoff series, etc.

What TT projects as most likely is sort of a finesse, playmaking winger. But it is really hard to be any kind of an impact player in the NHL if you are not willing to go into the rough areas, get your nose dirty and take a knock now and then.

Time will tell. Neither the hype nor the condemnation is valid. Work in progress.

The criticism of TT over the past week or two has been overblown, to the extreme. I understand that it is in part due to the mob mentality common with groups of passionate humans who pile on a scapegoat when their expectations aren't being met. But, the criticism is based from those (our) expectations more so than objectivity. We expect linear improvement and when we don't get what we want we blame him, which is unfair of us. It's OK to criticize, but the piling on over the past week or two has been unfair.

That said, I don't believe he is a pu$$y, but I do agree he must play with more determination. Yes, you take what the defense gives you, but not to the point where you are easily neutralized and that has been too often the case with TT.
- EbonyRaptor

TT is playing in the greatest hockey league in the world-- holding his own enough that he is getting significant minutes and responsibilities from Q a future HOF coach--

He is 21-- undersized -- and has been 'rushed' into NHL duty because of his high skill level-- and the Hawks team and cap needs--

I trust that the Hawks coaching and management team know what they are doing with TT-- and hope they get it right-- he is highly skilled-- I wish the best for TT

In the meantime he is an easy target here-- especially since Bickell was demoted-- and TT has become the focus of discontent-- amidst the trade deadline angst-- 13 days!

Yep. Both TT and Dano are best on the right side.
- 6628

Yes

I don't know if the need for a 1LW is as dire as we all thought. Shaw has done a bang-up job getting 30 points so far and that includes spending some time in the bottom 6 to start the season. By comparison Anisimov has 33 points playing with the best offensive tandem in the league.

I would love for the team to be so deep that Shaw is in the bottom 6, but if he's still with Toews come playoff time that won't be a bad thing.

I still say Stan needs to find a defenseman first. I'd also like to see him get another penalty killing bottom 6 forward. A healthy Kruger and Hossa will help the PK. But it would be nice to get another forward so Q doesn't have to play Toews and/or Hossa as much on the penalty kill.
- DarthKane

I think it may be that we get away with it versus the weaker teams, but I'd be interested to see how the offensive production stacks up against the contenders with good defenders. Just off the top of my head, I seem to recall that we haven't scored too much vs Anahiem or Tampa for example. That is where having more depth up front might just make or break the season. I think that our awful road record (Compared to home) shows just how much the team struggles when the top lines face top defenders and the bottom 6 doesn't really have enough to chip in to make a difference either when they face the weaker D. Just my opinion anyway. A case can be made for the need for both depth up front and on the blueline.

I agree, I would play him at center and make Daneault play the LW. And I agree, if they are going to force the left side on him then a deal might be best. And I'm thinking TT might agree with us.
- 6628

Same thing holding TT back overall is in the way of him making it as a C, he lacks physical strength. He has the instincts of a great playmaking center. He reminds me some of Archie Zhamnov in that regard. But he will get completely rag-dolled by most NHL center men in tight quarters and at the dot. Danault is bigger and plays much bigger, also a natural center man.

Same thing holding TT back overall is in the way of him making it as a C, he lacks physical strength. He has the instincts of a great playmaking center. He reminds me some of Archie Zhamnov in that regard. But he will get completely rag-dolled by most NHL center men in tight quarters and at the dot. Danault is bigger and plays much bigger, also a natural center man.
- John Jaeckel

The Zhamnov comparison! Magic Johnson on skates. Oh man. Not what i wanted to read. Thanks JJ, I will now relive that trade all over again. Break out the scotch.

The criticism of TT We expect linear improvement and when we don't get what we want we blame him, which is unfair of us. It's OK to criticize, but the piling on over the past week or two has been unfair.

That said, I don't believe he is a pu$$y, but I do agree he must play with more determination. Yes, you take what the defense gives you, but not to the point where you are easily neutralized and that has been too often the case with TT.
- EbonyRaptor

I agree on all counts.
It's more that he is so light, and can get bounced so easily at this juncture.

You can teach skill, but at some point even Johnny Gaudreau has to prove that he is at least adequate (as opposed to strong)on the puck.

Can anyone help me understand the possibility that the Blackhawks MIGHT be keeping Dano in Rockford in part because leaving him there limits the time he has and impact he can make at the NHL level?

In a sense, he can't command as high a salary at RFA status in 2017/18.

The usual TT qualifier:

He has obvious hockey skill and vision. Very good hands, good skater. All the things you want in a prospect . . . except he is underdeveloped physically, and there is some legitimate question as to how "developed" he will ever be (some of which is in his genetics, some of which is in his heart and will).

Not to single you out, but I will not judge a player merely on how many goals he scores or even how many points he puts up. By that metric alone, TT has been a giant sack of poop for the last several games. Even f he has been better than a lot of guys in his draft class.

Does the player engage and stay with his man defensively? Does the player do good things without the puck? Is the player a force physically? Is he a positive possession player—or a possession killer? Add points to those things and you have a good overall sense of a hockey player.

My personal belief is he is a unique prospect (because of the aforementioned skill set). That said, I think some—and most importantly, I have heard intimated, the Hawks—are concerned about his willingness to work on and off the ice.

I watched him closely last night. He got a goal, which is great. But I see a lot of his bad habits also from earlier in the season, floating, avoiding any kind of engagement physically and losing pucks, or just not trying.

Personally, I think it's a maturity issue and some day the light will go on and he will be a very good all around NHL player.

But no, he is not Patrick Kane and never will be. Kane at the same age was over a point a game player, taking over playoff series, etc.

What TT projects as most likely is sort of a finesse, playmaking winger. But it is really hard to be any kind of an impact player in the NHL if you are not willing to go into the rough areas, get your nose dirty and take a knock now and then.

Time will tell. Neither the hype nor the condemnation is valid. Work in progress.
- John Jaeckel

Scott Powers ‏@ByScottPowers
Interesting number: 5 of Teravainen's 7 goals in 5-on-5 this season came with Toews & Hossa. He's hasn't scored with Desjardins & Danault.

Maybe time to get 86 on the top line for a week or two.

Can anyone help me understand the possibility that the Blackhawks MIGHT be keeping Dano in Rockford in part because leaving him there limits the time he has and impact he can make at the NHL level?

In a sense, he can't command as high a salary at RFA status in 2017/18.
- Bjm84

He's in Rockford right now because come Hell or High Water Hawks want him at LW.

Same thing holding TT back overall is in the way of him making it as a C, he lacks physical strength. He has the instincts of a great playmaking center. He reminds me some of Archie Zhamnov in that regard. But he will get completely rag-dolled by most NHL center men in tight quarters and at the dot. Danault is bigger and plays much bigger, also a natural center man.
- John Jaeckel

There are some good comparisons there. I kept thinking about Michael Nylander as being a player that came to mind for me. I think TT needs work, but he is putting up production overall on par with a 3rd line player, while playing mostly on the 3rd line. I just don't think he is built or just not ready to excel in a bottom 6 role. He can at least finish (like last night) when good players are setting him up.

I don't know if the need for a 1LW is as dire as we all thought. Shaw has done a bang-up job getting 30 points so far and that includes spending some time in the bottom 6 to start the season. By comparison Anisimov has 33 points playing with the best offensive tandem in the league.

I would love for the team to be so deep that Shaw is in the bottom 6, but if he's still with Toews come playoff time that won't be a bad thing.

I still say Stan needs to find a defenseman first. I'd also like to see him get another penalty killing bottom 6 forward. A healthy Kruger and Hossa will help the PK. But it would be nice to get another forward so Q doesn't have to play Toews and/or Hossa as much on the penalty kill.
- DarthKane

Much like last season the Hawks would like Shaw in the bottom 6 because he creates matchup problems. I'd look for the Hawks to add pieces that would create additional matchup problems. I think adding someone like Rask might benefit Teuvo and get that 3rd line going.

Same thing holding TT back overall is in the way of him making it as a C, he lacks physical strength. He has the instincts of a great playmaking center. He reminds me some of Archie Zhamnov in that regard. But he will get completely rag-dolled by most NHL center men in tight quarters and at the dot. Danault is bigger and plays much bigger, also a natural center man.
- John Jaeckel

Same with another Finnish wonder boy Mikael Granlund. Not enough size and strenght to be an elite center in NHL.

Same thing holding TT back overall is in the way of him making it as a C, he lacks physical strength. He has the instincts of a great playmaking center. He reminds me some of Archie Zhamnov in that regard. But he will get completely rag-dolled by most NHL center men in tight quarters and at the dot. Danault is bigger and plays much bigger, also a natural center man.
- John Jaeckel

It's just the way I used to coach. I wanted quick thinking, good hands, good defensive instincts in the middle. I'd have a bigger winger take a faceoff depending where on the ice it was. I never had the biggest fastest strongest team so I would alternate loading up one side or the other offensively. I know it wasn't the NHL but it's just my take on it.

New Blog Up.

(Just for you Bobby )

JJ liked what you wrote about TT, I watched him last night and agree with your observation. I find myself wanting to defend him because some people go so over the top about him. You would have thought the Hawks lost 7 - 2 and TT put in 4 goals in his own net with the way some posters were talking about him. I think TT has to play with players with a little more of fence then the ones he is with currently. People keep saying he is not or will never be elite, If anyone thought that their expectations were too high . As I noted earlier he was 18th overall , not top 5 or 10. Not many 18th overall end up being elite. A 21 year old playing on the third line and killing penalties, n getting time on the power play, making 900,000, I think a lot of teams would take that.
Yes his intencety needs to pick up a notch or two or three, and hopefully as JJ said maturity may be needed to get there.